Cellular Phone Scanners – How Mobile Phone Scanners Work

Cellular phone scanners are devices that are used to intercept and monitor conversations through mobile phones. These are commonly used in law enforcement and by private detectives who are specially commissioned to track suspicious individuals. In some cases, they can also be used by businesses to record phone conversations with clients for proper documentation of transactions.

Types of scanners

There are two general types of cellular phone scanners: the analog and digital devices. Analog type scanners can intercept cellular communications with AMPS analog devices. AMPS refers to the original telephone standard that a number of analog units used in the United States. Due to an equipment for location finding that was used by 911, however, many cellular companies have started using both digital and analog signals in data transmission since March 2005. As such, analog cell phone scanners were only able to intercept and hear one side of analog conversations. This is why it’s now impractical to invest in analog devices these days.

On the other hand are the digital cell phone scanner. These are devices that can intercept communications made through new digital handsets. These scanners usually come with recorders and most models are able to monitor as many as 20 conversations at the same time. Digital cell phone scanners can be quite expensive and their use is typically exclusive to government agencies and law enforcers. Even the mere use of these devices by authorized personnel will still require a court order.

Buying guidelines

If you’re looking to purchase cellular phone scanner for whatever reason, you need to understand the legalities surrounding the use of these devices particularly if you’re not a law enforcer. Mere possession of a cell phone scanner can put you at risk of facing lawsuits for invasion of privacy among others.